1. Mátanga. The Bodhisatta born as a candála. See the Mátanga Játaka.
2. Mátanga. A Pacceka Buddha (M.iii.70; ApA.i.107). He was the last of the Pacceka Buddhas and lived near Rájagaha. At the last birth of the Bodhisatta the devas, on their way to do him honour, saw Mátanga and told him, "Sir, the Buddha has appeared in the world." Mátanga heard this as he was issuing from a trance, and, going to Mount Mahápapáta where Pacceka Buddhas die, he passed away. ApA.i.170; SNA.i.128f; Mtu.i.357.
3. Mátanga. A hermit. One day he arrived in Benares and went to a potter's hall for the night. He found the place already occupied by another hermit named Játimá, and was told by the potter that he could only stay there with Játimá's permission. Játimá agreed to his staying, but, on finding that Mátanga was a candála, he wished him to occupy a place apart. During the night Mátanga wished to go out, and, not knowing where Játimá was lying, trod on his chest. When Mátanga returned he took the other way with the idea of passing near Játimá's feet, but meanwhile Játimá had changed his position, and Mátanga again trod on his chest. Játimá thereupon cursed him, saying that his head would split in seven pieces at sunrise. Mátanga thereupon stopped the sun from rising (SA.ii.176f).
The rest of the story is as in the Mátanga Játaka. It may be a variety of the same legend. cp. also Nárada and Devala.
4. Mátanga. Father of Mátangaputta (q.v.).